England prospect claims his game needs to become 'less risky' to fit into Borthwick's plans

Bristol Bears Gabriel Ibitoye has had a flying start to this season’s Gallagher Premiership, scoring four tries in as many games including a hattrick in just nine minutes against Exeter Chiefs at the weekend.

Thanks to his wonderful early strike rate and all-around impressive play, many have suggested that the Bears winger could well be in for a surprise inclusion in the England Autumn Internationals squad. After such an impressive display at the weekend, it would be hard to argue that he doesn’t deserve the call-up.

Speaking on the BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly podcast, Ibitoye has put a dampener on these suggestions, however, noting that there has been “no chat” from England head coach Steve Borthwick.

Speaking about his chances of making the national squad, the 26-year-old said: “Looking at England, Steve definitely wants something from his wingers. I think I am different as a total package, I don’t know what the nuts and bolts are,

“The wingers he’s got in there are obviously class but I know I might have to be less risky on the field and not take as risky decisions.

“The way I see it I’m just playing what I see in that moment, in that picture, so for me it’s not that risky because in the week I practice it a lot.

“When I first joined Quins I was doing it and it wasn’t come off but I stuck at it and now passes are starting to go to hand and my teammates know what I’m going to bring on the training field and matchday.”

Many players, particularly in the England squad, have had to adapt their game to fit into the more simplistic system that Jones, or now Borthwick, employs.

Ibitoye claims to be open to altering his game, saying: “I would change it if I was in the setup and the coach said I want these two, three things from you, then I would try and deliver on that,” he added.

“Ultimately the coach is trying to bring together a 15 or 23 in a short amount of time – international windows are short, you have to come in and train two, three times a week and then play on the weekend.

“It’s not about me, it’s about the weekend. If he asked me to come in and do these two three things then I would do it.”

Steve Borthwick is set to name his 36-player squad for the Autumn Nations Series on Wednesday.